St Gerard’s make junk into couture

IT was two nights of style and sustainability as the Junk Kouture Regional Finals 2024 took place, in the Helix, on Monday and Tuesday, March 4 and 5, with one talented designer from Wicklow successfully battling it out against 159 other designs to become one of 60 to go on to the Dublin City Final 2024, which takes place in May.

‘Stainless Style’ by James McCann, a student of St Gerard’s School, Bray, was a dazzling suit of armour fashioned out of old metal road signs and old metal bottle caps, to “protect yourself against the harsh realities of the world”.

Junk Kouture judges, couture designer Claire Garvey, Miss Universe Ireland 2023 Aishah Akorede and former Junk Kouture winner Maxim O’Sullivan, had their work cut out for them as they picked 30 designs from each of the two regional finals to make up 60 Dublin finalists and deemed James’s design worthy of that honour.

Designs were selected from the regions of north, south, south-east, east and west.

St Gerard’s School was full of praise for James and remarked how he has previously put his talents to work in the school.

“James got through to the National Finals of Junk Kouture with his dynamic design ‘Stainless Style’. James handcrafted his costume from repurposed road signs to create a fresh and stylish design,” a spokesperson said. “James is a talented designer, he honed his craft designing numerous costumes for our TY school muscial.

“We are very proud of his achievements and are looking forward to seeing him on the world stage in fashion in the future,” they concluded.

Commenting on the hotly contested event, Junk Kouture

Director of Global Events and Production Megan Kelly said: “What a fantastic two nights in the Helix. The atmosphere was incredible. Congratulations to everyone who took part, there was so much creativity and imagination on display. To our 60 Dublin City Finalists, we will see you in May.

“Thank you to our partners Eurospar and all the brilliant educators who help make this all happen.”